Google Wonder Wheel and Options Feature

Google Wonder Wheel and Options feature is a valuable tool every writer or researcher should have in their arsenal. The program is simple to use, requires no additional software, doesn't cost a dime and can save you hours of research time.

The Google Wonder Wheel and Options feature can be a bit tricky to find. If a business associate hadn't told me about it, I doubt I would have found it for quite some time. I'd like to pass along the favor and let you know how to find these hidden writing and research tools.

When using Google's search engine, type in any keyword using the normal search option. Once results appear, click the "Show Options" link located on the upper right corner. The page will refresh and a list of options appears on the left sidebar. The link for Wonder Wheel is located under the "Standard View" section.

The Wonder Wheel displays a circle with the keyword you typed in. Eight cogs surround the keyword with hyperlinks of related keywords. Being somewhat egotistical, I entered my name at Wonder Wheel. Of the eight displayed links, seven were connected directly to articles, books or forum posts made by me. Five of the eight were connected to articles published at Associated Content.

Next, I used Wonder Wheel to conduct research about dentures for a client presentation. The eight cogs displayed related words including: affordable dentures, denture implants, types of dentures, denture problems, permanent dentures and partial dentures. By clicking on each hyperlink, I located additional keyword phrases connected to the primary keyword. Each hyperlink presents a new cog with more hyperlinks and appears to go on for infinity.

I write multiple articles on similar topics for several of my clients. There have been many times when I wished someone would wave a magic wand and provide a new perspective on the primary keyword. Wonder Wheel does exactly that!

Google's "Options" feature offers a new way to conduct research. You can find videos, forums and reviews for your keyword search. Interested in the most recent search results? Google Options has you covered. You can search results within the last minute, previous 24 hours, past week, past year or customize your search to include whatever dates you would like to see.

Use the "Related Searches" feature to find out how others are searching. This tool gives you insight to keyword phrases people are using to find answers and information. Using the keyword "dentures" I discovered twenty keyword phrases which can easily be infused into my upcoming guide about dentures.

Researchers will love the "Timeline" feature which literally presents a historic timeline of events. For example, did you know the first recorded dentures date back to 700 BC and were made from human and animal teeth? Perhaps that is where the phrases "Buck teeth" and "Rabbit teeth" came from?

The Options feature also provides links to images. This is helpful when looking for appropriate images to accommodate your article or as a visual aide during research. It should go without saying that copyrighted images should never be used without written permission unless they are offered through a common license.

Last, but not least, Google's Option feature is an excellent tool for price comparison. Need a new set of cookware at the best price? Google's "Prices from the Page" feature provides a list of retailers and prices to help you easily locate cookware bargains.

Writers, researchers and Internet users can all benefit from Google's Wonder Wheel and Options Feature. In today's fast-paced society, it is nice to have time-saving tools that can help you get more accomplished in less time and find information pertinent to your online search. Give these tools a try. You'll be glad you did!